What does Judges 21:16 mean?
"Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?" - Judges 21:16
The Bible verse Judges 21:16 from the King James Version (KJV) states: "Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"
This verse comes from the Book of Judges in the Old Testament, which is a historical and moralistic work that tells the story of the Israelites during a tumultuous period of their history. In this specific passage, the Israelites are facing a crisis after a war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel. The tribe of Benjamin was almost completely destroyed, and the other tribes are trying to figure out how to ensure the survival and continuation of the Benjaminite tribe.
The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its deeper meaning. Earlier in the Book of Judges, the Israelites were in a state of lawlessness and moral decay, and they were repeatedly punished by God for their disobedience. The events depicted in this verse take place after a particularly brutal civil war between the tribes, which was initiated as a result of a heinous crime committed by the men of Benjamin. This war resulted in the near annihilation of the entire tribe of Benjamin, leaving only a remnant of the people alive.
The elders of the congregation are now faced with the dilemma of how to repopulate the tribe of Benjamin since all the women from the tribe had been killed during the war. This situation raises ethical and moral questions about how to address the consequences of the conflict and the need to prevent the extinction of an entire tribe.
One of the central themes in this verse is the importance of continuity and preservation. The elders are concerned about the need to provide wives for the remaining men of Benjamin in order to ensure the survival and continuation of the tribe. This speaks to the broader theme of the preservation of the Israelite tribes and the importance of maintaining their lineage and heritage. The verse also highlights the consequences of violence and war, as the devastating loss suffered by the tribe of Benjamin raises questions about how to rectify the damage caused by conflict.
The symbolism in this verse is also worth exploring. The story of the near extermination of the tribe of Benjamin can be seen as a cautionary tale about the destructive power of internal conflict and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. The need to find wives for the remaining men of Benjamin also symbolizes the hope for healing and restoration, as the tribe seeks to rebuild and move forward from the tragedy they have experienced.
In conclusion, Judges 21:16 from the King James Version of the Bible is a thought-provoking and morally complex verse that raises questions about the consequences of violence and the need for continuity and preservation. The verse serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of conflict and the importance of seeking solutions that promote healing and restoration. It also emphasizes the broader theme of the value of lineage and the preservation of tribal identity. Overall, this verse offers a powerful message about the complexities of human nature and the enduring need for compassion and understanding in the face of adversity.
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Judges 21:16 - "Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?"
"Then the elders of the congregation said, How shall we do for wives for them that remain, seeing the women are destroyed out of Benjamin?" - Judges 21:16
Judges 16:21 - "¶ But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house."
judges 16:30
Judges 2:16 - "¶ Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them."
Sampson's strength judges 16:30
Judges 21:20 - "Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;"
Judges 21:9 - "For the people were numbered, and, behold, there were none of the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead there."
Judges 16:16 - "And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death;"
Judges 16:1 - "Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot, and went in unto her."
Proverbs 8:16 - "By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth."
Judges 18:21 - "So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them."
Judges 21:17 - "And they said, There must be an inheritance for them that be escaped of Benjamin, that a tribe be not destroyed out of Israel."
Judges 9:21 - "And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother."
Judges 21:15 - "And the people repented them for Benjamin, because that the LORD had made a breach in the tribes of Israel."
Judges 16:22 - "Howbeit the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven."
Judges 21:25 - "In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
"¶ But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house." - Judges 16:21
Judges 21:21 - "And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin."
Ezekiel 16:38 - "And I will judge thee, as women that break wedlock and shed blood are judged; and I will give thee blood in fury and jealousy."
Judges 21:4 - "And it came to pass on the morrow, that the people rose early, and built there an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings."
Judges 7:21 - "And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the host ran, and cried, and fled."
Judges 13:21 - "But the angel of the LORD did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the LORD."
Judges 16:4 - "¶ And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah."
John 16:11 - "Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged."
Judges 21:6 - "And the children of Israel repented them for Benjamin their brother, and said, There is one tribe cut off from Israel this day."
Judges 21:2 - "And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore;"
Judges 21:13 - "And the whole congregation sent some to speak to the children of Benjamin that were in the rock Rimmon, and to call peaceably unto them."
Judges 8:16 - "And he took the elders of the city, and thorns of the wilderness and briers, and with them he taught the men of Succoth."
Genesis 21-16